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Topaz

Topaz

Colorless, blue, yellow, orange, pink topaz

Blue Colorless Orange Pink Yellow
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.609 – 1.643
Birefringence
0.008 – 0.016
Luster
Vitreous
Pleochroism
Moderate Variable depending on transparency, orientation, and variety.
Fluorescence
Variable to inert.
Origins

Source localities

Russia Russia: Ural Mountains / Siberia
Legendary ★ Top Source

Classic source for alexandrite, demantoid, diamond and nephrite.

28.7% est. supply
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka: Ratnapura / Elahera
Premium ★ Top Source

Classic Ceylon source for sapphire and many alluvial gems; known for bright colors and good clarity.

21.3% est. supply
Pakistan Pakistan: Shigar / Swat / Sapat Valley
Premium ★ Top Source

Important source for aquamarine, topaz, peridot, tourmaline and rare minerals.

21.2% est. supply
Brazil Brazil: Minas Gerais / Paraíba / Bahia
Major

Major source for beryl, tourmaline, quartz, topaz, chrysoberyl and rare minerals.

14.4% est. supply
Nigeria Nigeria: Oyo / Ogun / Plateau fields
Major

Important source for tourmaline, sapphire, garnet, beryl and topaz.

14.4% est. supply
Treatments

Enhancement & treatment

Surface Enhancement Surface Coating Coatings create color or optical effects on the surface only. They can be damaged… Color Enhancement Irradiation and Annealing, Topaz Most blue topaz on the market is irradiated and annealed. The treatment is stable…
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may… Fractures Feathers and Fractures Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or… Fractures Fingerprint Inclusions Under 10x loupe: curved or wavy lines of tiny dots forming patterns that look… Crystals Negative Crystals Under 10x loupe: an empty cavity that has the geometric shape of the host… Clouds Pinpoint Clouds Under 10x loupe: concentrations of extremely tiny bright dots that individually are too small… Multiphase Two-Phase Inclusions Under 10x loupe: a transparent irregular cavity containing both a liquid phase and a…
Identification

Instruments used

Dichroscope Reveals pleochroism, instantly eliminates singly-refractive stones 10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Polariscope Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin